Shimen Reservoir Maple Half Marathon registration opens, promising local delicacies and eco-friendly initiatives

The scenic Shimen Reservoir will host the 11th annual Maple Half Marathon on December 26th, inviting runners to experience the beauty of Taoyuan's mountains and forests. Registration is now open for various race categories, including a 21km half marathon, a 10km road run, a 5km leisure run, and a special division for participants with disabilities.

Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng announced that sister cities from Japan, including Chiba and Kagawa prefectures, will participate. He highlighted the picturesque autumn scenery around the reservoir, making the race a unique experience for runners. This year's event promises a culinary journey alongside the athletic challenge, with aid stations offering local delicacies such as roasted wild boar, Daxi dried tofu, radish cake, and moon cakes.

The race also emphasizes environmental sustainability, aligning with the "2026 Net-Zero Carbon Emissions" policy. This commitment includes using eco-friendly race shirts and trophies, donating leftover materials, sourcing local ingredients for aid stations, providing shuttle buses, offering electronic completion certificates, and utilizing electric lead vehicles. These measures aim to promote circular economy principles, digitalization, local sourcing, and green transportation.

Race organizers have designed four exclusive running shirts for participants to choose from, along with event-specific sports towels, socks, medical-grade elastic bands, waterproof phone bags, and limited-edition maple pulp sponges. The finish line meal will feature local Taoyuan specialty rice noodles, ensuring runners are well-fed after completing the race. A parent-child fun sports playground and exciting performances will also be available at the main venue.

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Running on the beautiful racecourse during the season when the maple and trident maple trees at Shimen Reservoir are most beautiful offers a unique flavor and is beloved by marathon runners.